It’s officially April, which means it’s also National Fair Housing Month — a time when we commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act, which demanded all homebuyers, sellers and renters receive nondiscriminatory treatment throughout the housing pipeline.

But what rules, exactly, did the Fair Housing Act set? And what do they mean for you?

Get answers to some commonly asked questions about this topic:

Q: What is the purpose of the Fair Housing Act?
A: It prohibits discrimination in the selling, renting or financing of homes in the U.S., as well as services related to those steps (like insurance and appraisals). It ensures all citizens seeking housing are treated equally, without discrimination based on specific individual factors.

Q: What classes does it protect?
A: The Fair Housing Act protects seven classes: race, sex, color, familial status, national origin, religion and disability. It prohibits anyone from utilizing these seven factors to discriminate against someone in the housing process.

Q: What’s an example of housing discrimination?
A: There are many examples of housing discrimination. A landlord who markets their property only toward adults without children is violating Fair Housing laws by discriminating based on familial status. A real estate agent who steers a Black family away from a predominantly white neighborhood and toward more minority-focused areas is violating the law, too.

Q: How do you report violations of Fair Housing?
A: If you think you’re the victim of housing discrimination, you can report it online to the Department of Housing and Urban Development or your regional Fair Housing Enforcement Office. You can also report the incident by phone at 1-800-669-9777.

Let’s work together to ensure your home search or selling experience is a positive one — and that your rights are protected every step of the way. Reach out today.

As a homeowner, you want to ensure your home is protected in case the unexpected happens.

While you likely have a standard homeowners insurance policy to protect your property, there may be gaps in your coverage. Depending on your region and other factors, there could be things that your current insurance policy won’t foot the bill for.

Read about some common insurance gaps that you may have overlooked so you can cover your bases.

• Weather Events: Your basic home insurance policy will cover damages from hail, wind, lightning, freezing and fire. But you’ll probably need extra coverage for certain catastrophic weather events. Flooding and earthquakes, for example, are specifically excluded from traditional policies and require their own separate coverage.
• Valuables: Your policy covers your belongings — but only to a certain extent. If you own items that are high value, one-of-a-kind or collectible, your current policy is unlikely to cover the full cost if they’re damaged or stolen. Look into getting a separate endorsement or rider to get those belongings covered.
• Pests and Infestations: Most homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damage done by rodents and other pests, as this is considered preventable. While there aren’t really any additional coverages you can buy to make up for this, you can schedule regular pest control appointments to keep potential infestations at bay.
• Wear and Tear or Negligence: If you have issues that stem from regular wear and tear or negligence, you shouldn’t expect your insurance to cover it. Your best bet is to create a regular maintenance schedule and stick to it. Homeowners should also aim to have an emergency fund for unexpected repairs.

If you have questions about homebuying or homeownership, don’t hesitate to reach out.

If you’ve lived in your home for a while — or if you live in an older home — you may want to think about updating your windows.

After a while, windows don’t just seal as well. That means they can be drafty, making it harder to keep your house comfortable and potentially raising your utility bills.

Have you ever replaced your home’s windows? Once it’s time, here are four factors you should consider.

• Cost: This is one of the most important things to consider when replacing windows, especially if you’re replacing them throughout the whole house. Just remember: Paying less now might mean repairing or replacing them again sooner.
• Type: There are many window styles to choose from. Picture and bay windows are both great for letting in natural light and opening up a room to a great view. Casement and double-hung windows can be great for letting in a breeze, while awning and single-hung windows can improve airflow without taking up much space. Your climate and layout will play a role in what type of window you choose.
• Energy Efficiency: Choosing windows that have high R-values (meaning they reduce heat flow) and low U-values (meaning they’re strong insulators) is a great way to ensure your windows efficiently keep your home comfortable and your utility bills low. These choices can also reduce your overall energy usage and environmental impact.
• Security: Windows can be a major entry point to your home and can leave you vulnerable to theft, adverse weather and more. Always consider a window’s security features and potential risks to ensure you make the right choice.

Get in touch if you have questions about buying, selling or owning a home.

Purchasing a home is rarely a quick or easy process, but the right technology can simplify almost every stage of homebuying.

Not only can tech help you in your home search, connecting you to listings that meet your needs and budget, but it can also ease other parts of the journey — often saving you time, money and energy.

Are you curious about how you can use technology to your advantage as a homebuyer? Here are some options to explore.

• Videos and Virtual Tours: You’ve probably seen videos on listings in recent years. They may include full video tours of the home, aerial drone tours or even straightforward commercials for a property. You can use these videos to vet listings and ensure you’re putting your time and energy toward homes that suit your needs.
• 3D Tours and Walk-Throughs: 3D tours and clickable walk-throughs are other popular features you’ll find on some home listings. They allow you to virtually walk through a home’s floor plan from your computer screen or mobile device.
• Virtual Staging: Virtual staging tools can help agents fill a property with furniture and other design elements for listing photos. This can help you better envision what’s possible in a space — especially one that’s poorly decorated or empty.
• Remote Notaries, eClosings and eSigning: Technologies for eSignatures, eClosing and remote notary services allow you to complete the closing process digitally, no matter where you are. They can be great tools if you’re buying from far away and can’t be on-site for closing day.

Do you want help using tech to find the right home? Get in touch today.

When you get a mortgage, you have two choices when it comes to your interest rate: fixed or adjustable.

With a fixed rate, you get the same interest rate the entire time you have the loan. The interest rate you pay on day one is the same rate you pay 30 years down the road.

On the other hand, an adjustable rate will fluctuate, meaning your rate (and payment) can increase or decrease over time.

Both have their benefits, but the right one depends on your unique situation and goals. Think about these pros and cons when weighing your mortgage options.

Fixed-Rate Mortgages
Pros:

• Consistent rate and payment for the life of the loan
• Easy to plan for and fit into your budget

Cons:

• A higher interest rate is possible (when compared with adjustable-rate loans)
• Refinance required if you want to take advantage of lower interest rates

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
Pros:

• Lower interest rate up front (compared to fixed-rate loans)
• The rate and payment can drop if market rates fall

Cons:

• Rates and payment amounts can fluctuate, so you could end up paying more down the road
• It can be difficult to plan your budget without a consistent payment

Generally speaking, an adjustable-rate loan can be a good idea if you plan to move out of the home or refinance before your rate changes. If you’re looking to stay put for the long haul, though, a fixed-rate mortgage is typically a better idea.

Reach out if you have questions about homebuying or need help kick-starting your next home search.

Once you own a home, you realize that it can be costly: There are maintenance tasks, necessary repairs, homeowners insurance, utility bills, lawn care and more. If you don’t plan ahead and budget properly, it can sometimes be hard to keep up.

Fortunately, there are several strategies that can help you deal with the expenses associated with homeownership. Consider adjusting your practices in these four areas.

• Mortgage Payments: Making your payments biweekly could help you reduce interest costs faster. You may also think about refinancing to a lower interest rate or different term to lower your monthly payment and create more liquidity in your budget. 
• Homeowners Insurance: Shopping around for a home insurer can make a notable difference in your premiums. You can also look into your eligibility for discounts, improve your credit score or increase your deductible to lower your premium.
• Energy Bills: Your energy bills can take a big bite out of your budget, especially in the summer and winter. Make sure to compare energy providers (if you can) and consider getting a smart thermostat to help you set a more energy-efficient heating and cooling schedule for your house.
• Home Repairs: Staying on top of maintenance is the best way to prevent costly repairs. Some tasks to keep in mind are clearing out your gutters seasonally, getting an annual HVAC tuneup, cleaning dryer vents and installing a leak monitor that can help you spot small plumbing issues before they become major problems.

If you’re planning to buy a new home this year or have questions about homeownership, please get in touch today.

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